Gaby
To celebrate the Chinese New Year, Starbucks introduced an unusual pairing of coffee and pork. The extravagant drink is called the “Spicy Latte of Abundant Fortune.” Starbucks says it delivers a unique flavor.
The drink blends coffee with milk and a sauce inspired by traditional Chinese braised pork known as Dongpo pork. The foam is finished with a dark red pork sauce and topped with a slice of pork belly.
This offering costs 68 yuan, or about $9.45. Photos of the drink, published by the Shanghai Starbucks Reserve Roastery on the Chinese social platform Weibo, show a drop of dark red sauce on the latte foam and a square slice of pork resting on the rim of the cup.
Baristas preparing the drink say “the meat symbolizes prosperity for the coming year.” They add that the beverage incorporates “traditional New Year customs” and creates “an unexpected spicy and sweet flavor.”
The Chinese New Year is one of the major annual celebrations in Asia and is typically spent with family. Braised pork is one of the holiday’s key dishes, CNN reports. Dongpo pork, named after the ancient poet, artist, and statesman Su Dongpo, is particularly popular. The dish is made from pork belly braised with sugar, soy sauce, yellow rice wine, and other ingredients, producing fragrant, tender pieces of pork that can be picked up with chopsticks.
The pork latte quickly gained attention on Chinese social media. Some users expressed curiosity about the unexpected flavor combination, while others were skeptical, asking why someone would drink a latte with pork when they could simply enjoy a plate of braised meat.
Critics also took issue with the price. “For 68 yuan, I could have a plate of braised pork and then go to Luckin for two lattes,” wrote one Weibo user.
Another user joked, “I’d allow pork and coffee to coexist in my stomach, but not in my mouth.”
Chinese media have called the drink unique, saying it has a rich, smooth flavor and is proving popular.
Starbucks, which considers China its second-largest market, has also released other New Year beverages across the country. Fans of unusual flavors are trying a macchiato with marmalade and a macchiato with almond and tofu.
